Saturday, July 30, 2016

TENALI RAMA’S CAT

Pic.: Vincent D'Souza

Years ago, when I had decided to do something about my poor
English, one of the things I did – and found it very useful – was telling
a nice story in two tenses… Past and Present. Over the years, I have helped
hundreds of people who were earnest to improve their English with the same
method… Yes, write a nice story down in both the tenses… and tell it to
someone.

I, often, recount this Tenali tale to some of my students… to remind
them, that, the cats, which are over-fed with milk, are least interested in
catching the mice!

TENALI RAMA’S CAT

PAST:

Once,the King of Vijayanagara, Krishnadeva Raya, began to
receive many complaints from the poor farmers in his kingdom. The mice were
destroying their crop and they wanted their King to do something about it.

After consulting his advisors, the King
imported hundreds of cats from Persia to end the mice menace. He also arranged
for plenty of cows. He handed to each of his farmers a cat and a cow and
declared, “See that the cat is fed well with cow’s milk; every month there will
be an inspection to check whether the cat is maintained hale and hearty or not.
If not, punishment will be meted out!”

Not wanting to invite their King’s ire,
the farmers began to feed their cats with ample milk. When King’s officers came
to inspect, they were delighted to behold very, very happy and flabby cats in
the entire kingdom. However,
there was one case that certainly deserved King’s punishment… and, it was
Tenali Rama. His cat was all skin and bones!

Krishnadeva Raya was furious. He immediately
summoned Tenali. “Why is your cat in such a sorry state? Why did you fail to
feed it well?” the King thundered.

“How could I feed milk to my cat, Your
Majesty,” Tenali said to his King meekly, “when she is unwilling to drink it?”

“Impossible,” reacted the King showing
even more anger, “how the hell are we supposed to believe that a cat is not
interested in milk?”

So, Tenali had to prove before his King
and the court that he was not lying. A bowl of fresh milk of his cow was placed
in front of everyone. Then, he brought his skinny cat and kept her near the
bowl. As soon as the cat saw the milk bowl, it sped for her life!

The King and the courtiers were stunned!

The King was quick to comment, “I know
what you have done, Tenali. You have served her hot milk and burnt her mouth;
she is too scared of the milk now!”

“With all my due respect to Your Majesty,” Tenali
said to his King, “don’t you think that the cats, over-fed with
milk, are least interested in catching mice?”

PRESENT:

(Once),the King of Vijayanagara, Krishnadeva Raya, begins to
receive many complaints from the poor farmers in his kingdom. The mice are
destroying their crop and they want their King to do something about it.

After consulting his advisors, the King
imports hundreds of cats from Persia to end the mice menace. He also arranges
for plenty of cows. He hands to each of his farmers a cat and a cow and
declares, “See that the cat is fed well with cow’s milk; every month there will
be an inspection to check whether the cat is maintained hale and hearty or not.
If not, punishment will be meted out!”

Not wanting to invite their King’s ire,
the farmers begin to feed their cats with ample milk. When King’s officers come
to inspect, they are delighted to behold very, very happy and flabby cats in
the entire kingdom. However,
there is one case that certainly deserves King’s punishment… and, it is Tenali
Rama. His cat is all skin and bones!

Krishnadeva Raya is furious. He
immediately summons Tenali. “Why is your cat in such a sorry state? Why did you
fail to feed it well?” the King thunders.

“How could I feed milk to my cat, Your
Majesty,” Tenali says to his King meekly, “when she is unwilling to drink it?”

“Impossible,” reacts the King showing
even more anger, “how the hell are we supposed to believe that a cat is not
interested in milk?”

So, Tenali has to prove before his King
and the court that he is not lying. A bowl of fresh milk of his cow is placed
in front of everyone. Then, he brings his skinny cat and keeps her near the
bowl. As soon as the cat sees the milk bowl, it speeds for her life!

The King and the courtiers are stunned!

The King is quick to comment, “I know
what you have done, Tenali. You have served her hot milk and burnt her mouth;
she is too scared of the milk now!”

“With all my due respect to Your Majesty,” Tenali
said to his King, “don’t you think that the cats, over-fed with
milk, are least interested in catching mice?”

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THE WILD, WAYSIDE FLOWERS

About Me

'Passionate about Life.'... That's how I see myself. For me, the term 'passion' has a special meaning. It is living life with its totality... With all its hues and confusions, with all its triumphs and defeats.
I consider myself as a little kid, still groping in the dark -- trying to find a way out of this great maze. Sometimes, I wonder: whether there is a way out at all? Whether the maze itself is the way?
Thus, as a kid awe-struck by this amazing mystery called LIFE, I have a lot to share with my fellow kids. I believe, it would be an exciting and fulfilling journey, each morning...
I am, indeed, looking forward to each dawn, with fresh eyes... And my fresh note to share...
Love,
GERALD D'CUNHA